Former pastor Bertrand faces judge after 10th arrest

James Patrick Bertrand, 52, appeared in state district court Friday at Judge Ron Ware’s request.

Bertrand, the founder of the local Just for Jesus rallies and a former local pastor and business owner, was arrested twice
in the last two weeks, both times on drug charges.

Prosecutor Bobby Holmes told Ware that Bertrand has been arrested 10 times in the last year — eight felony arrests and two
misdemeanor arrests.

Ware set Bertrand’s bond on his most recent arrest at $2.06 million, which brings his total bond to more than $2.2 million.
Ware said he initially revoked all Bertrand’s former bonds on Thursday, but lifted those revocations Friday.

After a drug arrest in July, Ware ordered Bertrand held without bond, but did allow him to enter a treatment facility.

Bertrand was to return to the Calcasieu Correctional Center when he left treatment, but since he completed the program, Ware
said he allowed him to stay out of jail to continue his treatment.

Bertrand said he “ran into a situation with my ex and made mistakes,” then asked if he could go back to treatment.

“We’re past that point,” Holmes said.

Ware quickly repeated his agreement: “We’re past that point.”

Bertrand said he only had one problem with the treatment centers — they wouldn’t let him get into the Word.

Ware said he believes in the Word, but “you were into something other than the Word.”

As in July, there was confusion Friday on who was representing Bertrand.

Bertrand said he had hired defense attorney Walt Sanchez, but Sanchez no longer represents him.